80 % of the greenhouse gas emissions in Europe still come from the energy sector, warns a report from the European Environment Agency released today. The sector continues to have significant impacts on the environment, despite the fact that more efficient production of electricity and heat, together with an increased share of renewable energy sources and replacement of coal and oil with gas are gradually contributing to cut emissions of greenhouse gas and air pollutants in Europe.

80 % of the greenhouse gas emissions in Europe still come from the
energy sector, warns a report from the European Environment Agency
released today. The sector continues to have significant impacts on the
environment, despite the fact that more efficient production of
electricity and heat, together with an increased share of renewable
energy sources and replacement of coal and oil with gas are gradually
contributing to cut emissions of greenhouse gas and air pollutants in
Europe.

The 2008
Energy and environment report confirms that if Europeans
simply stick by current policies and measures, energy consumption will
continue to rise by up to 26 % by 2030 —and fossil fuels will remain as
the main source of supply. "Business as usual is not an option for the
energy sector" stated Professor Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive
Director at the launch of the report in the European Parliament
in Strasbourg today. The move towards a low carbon society "isn't
happening fast enough to secure the future of our environment", she
said.

"Energy from fossil fuels is the root cause of human induced climate
change" Professor McGlade told the Joint Parliamentary Meeting on
Energy and Sustainable Development today. "The commitment of Europe to
a post carbon economy and sustainable renewable energy is essential for
energy security and tacking climate change" she added.

The 2008 Energy and environment report reported some positive
findings with regard to the growth of the renewable energy sector and
its potential to reduce emissions and improve air quality. But
renewable sources only represented 8.6 % of the final energy
consumption in Europe in 2005 — some way short of the EU target to
achieve 20 % by 2020.

Other key findings of the report include:

European households have increased their electricity consumption by
31% in the last 15 years, in spite of an average increase by 17 % in
end-user electricity prices compared to the mid 1990s.

Over 54 % of the energy used in Europe in 2005 was imported from
outside its borders. Russia is the largest single energy exporter to
the EU, supplying 18.1 % of the EU-27 total primary energy consumption
in 2005.

Between 1990 and 2005, the EU-27 experienced an average GDP growth
rate of 2.1 %, while reducing its energy-related CO2
emissions by a total of about 3 %. During the same period,
CO2 emissions increased by 20 % in the US and doubled in
China.

Notes for the editors:

The 2008
Energy and environment report (available on the EEA
website) assesses the key drivers, environmental pressures and impacts
from the production and consumption of energy, taking into account the
main objectives of the European policy on energy and environment
including: security of supply, competitiveness, increased energy
efficiency and renewable energy, and environmental sustainability. The
report addresses six main policy questions and presents trends existing
within the EU compared to other countries.

Members of the European Parliament and of the National Parliaments
of the European Union and candidate countries are gathering on 20 and
21 November in Strasbourg for a Joint Parliamentary Meeting to address
Energy and Sustainable Development.